Typewriting machine



A. A. JoHNsON TYPEWRITING MACHINE Filed July 12, 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet l April 7, 1925.

A. A. JOHNSON TYPEWRITING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 12, 1921 ware arm es PATENT OFFECE.

ARTHUR A. JOHNSON, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR TO UNDERWOOD TYPEWBITER COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A. CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

TYPEWRITING MACHINE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it knownthat I, ARTHUR A. JOHNSON, a citizen of the United States, residing in VVashington, District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Typewriting Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to'typewriting machines, and is herein disclosed as applied to an Underwood standard typewriting ma: chine of the continuous billing orfan-fold type, one form of which is disclosed in the patent to Wernery & Smith, No. 1,132,055, dated March 16, 1915.

In a machine of the type referred to, the plies of fan-fold webs, or separate webs, are led between blades on a shiftable carboncarrier, so that carbon-sheets, secured at their rear ends to the blades, will be interleaved between the various plies or webs. The webs or plies then pass over the rear table and between the platen and feed-rolls to the printing line. In connection with typing on the forms usually carried by the superposed Webs in use in such machines, the webs and interleaved carbon-sheets are fed past the printing line and delivered on a front paper-table, the carbon-carrier being drawn forward during this operation. Upon completion of the typing on a given set of superposed forms, a frame, carrying the platen and front paper-table, is swung forwardly to raise the platen from the feedrolls, and the forward ends of the webs,

which have been grasped by the operator, are

drawn forward to gaging position. The carbun-carrier is then shifted to the rear to bring the carbon-sheets between unused por-- tions of the webs, and the platen and papertable are returned to their normal positions, the used forms being severed over a knife which is usually provided. Typing may then be effected upon another set of superposed forms. \Vhen separate webs are used, the superposed forms are moved out of alignment by creeping of the webs in being fed around the revoluble platen.

The main object of the invention is to provide means to prevent cumulative creeping by realigning the forms at regular intervalsJand also to advance the webs autotions to rest against the front paper-table,

the re-registering element being urged by suitable means, such as a spring, to a' position such that thedink will normally be supported so that the registering pins will be held 'above the table, to permit'the passage of the webs. When, however, it is desired to raise the platen, the registering element is pressed'lightly against the webs during the swinging movement, the pins entering the perforations immediately, if in register therewith, or, in case the perforations have been advanced to a point beyond the registering pins, creeping upwardly relatively to the sheets during the swinging of the platen to its upper position, and entering the perforations when brought into register therewith. The sheets will then advance along a bar, which may be the usual gagebar, until the swinging movement of the link and front paper-table is checked by engagement of the link with a stop, preferably forming part of the bracket on which the link is pivoted.

Provision may also be made of a clamping device, slidably mounted on the bar forming an extensionof the front papertable, and of means to secure the clamping device in an adjusted position on the bar. Detent means may beprovided to hold the clamp in ineffective position or in effective position to hold the leading ends of the work-webs against the bar. The link and the clamp may be provided with suitable cooperating means, so that, upon movement of the registering element to its extreme position, due to swinging of the front papertable, the clamping device will be rendered effective to hold the leading ends of the webs in gaged position.

The link may be composed of two parts, connected so that the length of the link may be varied, and, in one form of the invention, the parts may be secured toeach other in adjusted position. In another form of the invention, provision may be made of means to automatically vary the length of the link when the link is swung forwardly with the front paper-table.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a sectional side View, showing my invention applied to so much of an Underwood typewriting machine of the fanfold type as is'necessary for the purpose of illustration.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary View, showing the registering device brought into co-operation with the perforations at the head of a set of forms and the webs slightly advanced, due to the forward swinging of the platen.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, but showing the parts in the position assumed when the platen has been lifted, the clamping device having been rendered effective to hold the leading ends of the webs.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the invention.

Figure 5 is a View showing a modified form of the invention, in which provision ismade of means to vary the length of the link during the swinging movement from the position shown in Figure 5 to that shown in Figure 3.

A platen 10 is carried by an axle 11 journaled in ends 12 of a swing-frame or platenframe 13 which comprises a front papertable 14. The ends 12 are pivotally mounted on a rod 15 supported by a carriage 16 which comprises ends 17 and a rear papertable 18 cut away beneath the platen to form fingers 19 between which lie feed-rolls 20 to co-operate with the platen. The paper-table 18 is bent upwardly and rearwardly back of the platen, so that it overlies a transverse rod 21 on which arms 22, pro' jecting from the platen-frame ends 12, rest when the platen-frame is in its normal position.

Extending rearward'ly from the carriage 16 is an extension supported at its forward end on a bar 23 which forms part of the carriage-frame. This extension comprises front and rear rods 24 and 25, respectively, and rods 26 connecting the same, the lastmentioned rods serving to support rails 27 which cooperate with grooved rolls 28 on the base plate 29 of carbon-carrier 30 to guide the latter in its forward and rearward movement. The carbon-carrier comprises the usual stepped supports 31, with blades 32 extending inwardly therefrom, and an arm 33 at one side thereof and extending toward the front of the machine. Preferably, the arm 33 is provided at its forward end with a finger-piece 34. The mechanism 36 near the leading ends of the forms withwhich the webs are provided. In carrying out the invention, the front bar 37 of the carriage is utilized to support a bracket 38, preferably formed of a single piece of sheetmetal. The bracket 38 is provided with a flat portion 39 to rest on the upper surface of a horizontal flange of the bar 37, and with a curved portion 40 so shaped as to fit over the forward edge of the flange, whereby, when the bracket is placed in position on the bar 37 and secured thereto by a screw 41, it will be held firmly in position. The bracket 38 is also provided with an upwardly-extending ear 42 and a forwardlyextending finger 13. Pivoted at 4:1 in the ear is a two-part link 15, the two parts 46 and 47 of which are connected so that the length of the link may be varied. To this end, the part 47 is provided with a horizontal slot 47, and the part 46 with pins which may be in the form of set-screws 48 extending through the slot.

At the free end of the part 4'? is attached an aligning device consisting of a head -19, preferably formed of a single piece of sheetmetal having a yoke 50 placed over the end of the part 47 and pivotally secured thereto by a bolt 51 and a nut 52. A spring 53 at taehed at one end to a pin 54 on the part +17, and at. the other end to a pin 55,011 the yoke 50, tends to turn the yoke about the bolt 51, so that the head 49 will be supported by engaging fingers 56 thereon and the register pins 57 will be maintained above the webs as they are fed forwardly thereunder. The movementof the head 49 under the action of the spring 53 may be limited by a stop 57 attached to the head in any suitable manner. To facilitate the action of the register pins 57, the front paper-table 14 is provided with slots 58 lying beneath the paths of the register pins 57, and, in or der to prevent undue weakening of the paper-table 1 1 along these slots, U-shapcd brackets 59 are fastened to the papertablc at the lower side, the depth of the channels in these brackets being such as to prevent any interference with the register pins 57.

Mounted on a bar 60 secured to the rear of the paper-table 14 and forming a central extension thereof, is a gripping device designated as a whole by 61. The gripping device 61 comprises a plate 2 at the rear of the bar (10. having a longitudinal slot (33 through which passes a pin (l4: projecting from the rear face of the bar (30. provision being made of a nut (35 threaded on the outer end of pin 6-}, so that the plate 62 may be secured in adjusted position on the bar 60. Extending rearwardly from the plate 62, near one edge .of the bar 60, is an ear 66, on which is pivoted at 67 a lever 68. This lever extends, along the lower side of the bar 60 and then is curved upwardly and downwardly along the upper side of the bar, so that a finger 69 extending laterally from the lever near its free end may be utilized to press the leading ends of work-webs 35 against said bar. On the opposite side of pivot 67, the lever 68 is provided with two notches 71 with which co-operates a detent spring 72 to hold the lever 68 and finger69 in either effectiveor ineffective position.

lVhenever work of a given character is to be performed, webs 35 having suitable forms thereon are led over the rear rod 25 of the extension and through the carboncarrier, so that carbon-sheets '73 attached to the blades 32--will be interleaved therebetween. The webs 35 are then drawn forward between the platen and the usual knife 74, when the platen is in its raised position, as shown in Figure 3, and the platen returned to normal position, as shown in Figure 1. Typing may then be effected on the webs by types 75 on typebars 76, the platen being line-spaced by any suitable means (not shown). It will be understood that the gripping device 61 has been positioned on bar 60 corresponding to the length of the forms and secured in its adjusted position by means of the nut 65 threaded on the pin- 64, and that a corresponding adjustment has been made between parts 46 and 47 by means of screws 48.

'ment of the frame 13, the webs 35 will be advanced by the pins 57 until the frame 13 and link 45 are'checked in their forward movement by engagement of the link with the finger 43, the parts then assuming the positions shc n in Figure 3. The bolt 51 will, as the link 45 approaches its limiting position, engage a cam 77 on the lever 68 and move the finger 69 in a direction to clamp the leading ends of the webs against the bar 60; the lever 68 being held in effective position by the spring 72 engaging in the upper notch 71, as shown in Figure 3.

The carbon-carrier may then be returned to itsnormal position by means of fingerpicce 34 and the frame 13 swung to its normal position, the link 45 being left in its forward position. It will be evident that, when the paper-table 14 is in its Figure 3 position, the pins 57 will be maintained in the perforations 36 in the leading ends of the webs and will be sufiicient to hold the webs during the rearward movement of the carbon-carrier. The gripping device 61 is also effective at this time, but is of value chiefly to hold the leading ends of the webs in position on the bar 60 during the restoration of the platen to its normal position. \Vhen the frame 13 is swung to the rear, the webs 35 are lifted from the pins 57 and are held in position on the bar 60 by the gripping device 61, the link 45 being left in its forward position. Upon shifting the lever 68 manually to release the leading ends of the forms just typed, the webs may be severed by drawing the same across the knife '74, the link 45 swung to its Figure 1 position, and the typing of the next set of forms begun. During this typing, the link 45 is normally in the position shown in Figure 1, being supported in such positioniby the fingers 56 which rest on the outer web.

According to a modified form of the invention, provisions may be made of means to change the length of the link 45 automatically duringthe forward swinging movement of the frame 13. In this form, the screws 48, or corresponding elements, do not clamp the parts 46 and 47 together, but, with the slot 47", furnish a sliding connection between theparts 46 and 47 so as to permit movement therebetween. The means for automatically varying the length of the link 45 may coniprise a toggle, one member 78 of which is pivoted to part 47 at 79, and the other member 80 pivoted on the pivot 44 of the part 46. The members 78 and 80 are connected by means of a pivot pin 81, and, since these members are on opposite sides of the part 46, a notch 82 is provided in the upper edge of the latter to receive pin 81 and permit the toggle to be straightened further than would otherwise be possible. It should be understood, however, that the toggle is not straightened sufliciently to prevent collapse of the link 45 under the action of the spring when the link is swung rearwardly. The link 45 is normally held in collapsed condition by means of a spring 83 connecting the pivot 79 with the pivot 44. When the link 45, shown in Figure 5, is swung to the right, its length will not be varied until the member 80 is brought into contact with the finger 43 on the front bar 37 of the typewriter-carriage. movement, however, of the link will cause the toggle, comprising members 78 and 80, to be straightened, and, when the link 45 reaches its limiting position, the straightening' of the toggle will have been completed and the link 45 extended to its greatest Further I length. The swing-frame 13 may then be restored to its normal position the gripping device released, and, after severing the used portions of the webs, the link restored to its Figure 5 position.

It will be seen that the registering and advancing device comprising the link 45 and the pins 57 serves also to gage the leading edges of the webs.

The platen 10 is connected with the usual line-spacing mechanism .at all times in a well-known manner, as for example, by a broad gear 84 loosely mounted on the rod 15 and meshing with a gear 85 fixed on the platen-axle 11 and with a gear 86 fixed on a stub-shaft 87 actuable by the line-spacing mechanism.

Variations may be resorted to within the scope of the invention, and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a typewriting machine, in combination, a traveling carriage having a front bar extending transversely thereof, a revoluble platen, a platen-lifting swing-frame pivoted on said carriage. said frame comprising a front paper-table, and a link, having pins thereon, pivoted on said front bar in front of the pivotal axis of the swingframe, so that, when its free end is pressed against the front pa er-table and said frame swung to lift the platen. the pins will enter perforations in the work-webs in use to align superposed forms thereon and then advance the leading edges of the webs to predetermined positions.

2. In a typewriting machine, in combination, a traveling carriage having a front bar extending transverselv thereof, a revoluble platen, a platen-lifting swing-frame pivoted on said carriage. said frame comprising a front paper-table and a bar con-..

stituting an extension thereof, a link having pins thereon and pivoted on said front bar in front of the pivotal axis of said swing-frame, so that, when its free end is pressed against the front paper-table and the frame swung to lift the platen, the pins will enter perforations in the webs in use to align superposed forms thereon and then advance the leading edges of the webs to predetermined positions, and a clamp on said bar to grip the ends of said webs when the leading edges thereof have been ad vanced to their limiting positions.

3. In a typewriting machine, in combination, a traveling carriage. having a front bar extending transversely thereof, a revoluble platen, a platen-lifting swing-frame pivoted on said carriage, said frame comprising a front paper-table and a bar constituting an extension thereof, a link, having pins thereon, pivoted on said front bar in front of the pivotal axis of said swing-frame, so that,

two parts when its free end is pressed against the front paper-table and the frame swun to lift the platen, the pins will enter per orations in the websin use to align superposed forms thereon and then advance the leading edges of the webs to predetermined positions, a clamp on said bar to grip the leading'ends of said webs when advanced to their limiting positions, and provisions on said clamp and link whereby the latter will render the former effective when the webs are advanced to their limiting positions.

4. In a typewriting machine, in combination, a traveling carriage having a front bar, a revoluble platen, a platen-lifting swingframe pivotally mounted in said carriage, said swing-frame comprising a front papertable and a bar serving as a prolongation thereof, a link pivotally mounted on said front bar, a head pivotally mounted on the link near its free end and having pins thereon in position to enter perforations in work-webs when brought into register therewith, and a spring urging said head to a position on said link such that the pins will be held above said webs when the link is swung to bring the head against the webs, whereby, upon pressing the head against the webs, the spring will yield and permit the pins to enter the perforations with which they are brought into register bv the swinging of the frame, the pins then serving to advance the webs automatically during the remainder of said swinging movement of said frame.

5. In a tvpewriting machine, in combination, a traveling carriage, a revoluble platen, a platen-frame comprising a front papertable, said frame being so pivoted on the carriage that a forward swing of the frame will lift the platen, a link pivoted on the front of the carriage, said link comprising aving a pin-and slot connection so that they may beshifted longitudinally of each other, and pins on the free end of said link, so that, when the link is swung rearwardly against the front paper-table and the platen-frame swung forwardly, the pins will advance along the paper-table and, after entering perforations in the workwebs in use, will advance the webs auto: matically.

6. In a ty ewriting machine, in combination, a trave ing carriage, a revoluble platen, a platen-frame comprising a front papertable, said frame being so pivoted on the carriage that a forward swing of the frame will lift the platen, a link pivoted on the front of the carriage, said link comprising two parts having a connection such as to permit relative shifting longitudinally of each otherto vary the length of the link, pins on the free end of said link, so that, when the link is swung rearwa dly against the front paper-table and theplaten-frame swung forwardly, the pins will advance along the paper-table and, after entering perforations in the work-webs in use, will advance the webs automatically, and means to lengthen said link during its forward swinging movement by effecting a relative shifting between the two arts thereof.

7. In a typewriting mac ine,'in combination, a traveling carriage, having a front bar, a revoluble platen, a platen-lifting swing-frame pivoted on said carriage, said frame comprising a front paper-table and a bar constituting an extension thereof, a link having pins thereon and pivoted on said front bar in substantially the same horizontal plane as the pivotal axis of the swingframe, so that, when its free end is pressed against the front paper-table and the frame swung to lift the platen, the pins'will enter perforations in the webs in use to align superposed formsthereon and then advance the leading edges ofthe webs to predetermined positions, a clamp on said bar to grip the leading ends of said webs when advanced to their limiting positions, provisions on said clamp and link whereby the latter will render the former effective when the webs are advanced to their limiting positions, and detentmeans to hold said clamp in either effective or ineffective position.

8. In a typewriting machine, in combination, a traveling carriage, a revoluble platen, a swing-frame for said platen pivoted on said carriage, said frame including a front paper-table and a bar forming an extension of said table, and means to cooperate with the webs at their forward ends and automatically advance the webs when the swingframe is swung to lift the platen, said means comprising .a link having two parts shiftable longitudinally with respect to each other, and a toggle device operable by the swingframe in its forward movement.

9. In a typewriting machine, in combination, a traveling carriage, a revoluble platen around which webs having forms thereon may be led, means, including a swingable front paper-table and a bar forming an extension thereof, to enable the webs to be straightened beneath the platen, means, including pins to engage in perforations in the webs at the leading ends of the forms, for automaticall advancing the webs when the paper-table 1s swung forwardly. a leadingend clamp on said bar. and means whereby the clamp will be rendered effective by the web-advancing means at the end of its .effective movement.

10. In a typewriting machine, in combination, a traveling carriage, a revoluble platen around which webs having forms thereon may be led, means, including a swingable. front paper-table and a bar forming an extension thereof, to enable the webs to be straightened beneath the platen, a leadingpivoted on the front of said carriage, a head pivoted on said link and extending on each side thereof, means, including a spring, connecting said link and said head, whereby the leading end of the head, when in engage ment with the paper-table, willserve to support the link, and pins at the trailing end of said head and on opposite sides of said link, said pins being normally held above the paper-table by said spring, and said table being so formed alongthe paths of the pins that, when the spring is overcome by pressing the head toward the paper-table, the pins may pass below the surface. of the paper-table and so remain during the traveling movement of the pins due to the forward movement of the swing-frame.

12. In a typewritiug machine. in combination, a traveling carriage, comprising a front bar having a horizontal flange extending forwardly from. the top thereof, a revoluble platen, a platen-lifting frame pivoted on said carriage in front of the platen and comprising a front paper-table and a central extension thereof, a bracket having a flat lower face to rest on the top of said flange, a portion to fit around the forward edge of said flange to enable the bracket to-be firmly fastened on the bar, an upwardly-extending ear and a forwardly and upwardly-extending stop-finger at one side of said ear, a link pivoted on said ear on the side toward the finger, so that, when swung forwardly. it will engage the finger, and a web-aligning and advancing device on the free end of said. link, comprising pins positioned so as to pass on opposite sides of said extension.

'13. Inca typewrit-ing machine, in combination, a traveling carriage, a revoluble platen carried thereby. a carbon-sheet carrier shiftably mounted on said carriage. means to permit work-webs extending around the platen to be straightened beneath the latter, including a swingable platen-lifting frame. means, including pins to engage in perforations in the work-webs, whereby the leading edges of the workwebs may be aligned and superposed forms thereon brought into register. and then the webs advanced to gaging positions when the platen-lifting frame swung forwardly, and means on said frame, rendered effective by said aligning and advancing means, to grasp the leading ends of the webs in their advanced positions and hold the same in position on the swing-frame during the re! urn movement of the latter after the rearward movement of the carbon-sheet carner.

14. In a typewriting machine, in combination, a traveling carriage, a revoluble platen carried thereby, a carbon-sheet carrier shif'tably mounted on said carriage, meats, including a swingable platen-lifting frame, to permit work-webs extending around the platen to be straightened beneath the latter, web-holding means whereby the leading ends of the work-webs may be engaged and advanced when the platenlifting frame is swung forwardly, and means on said platen-lifting frame, rendered effective by said web-holding means, to hold said leading ends during the return movement of the frame.

15. In a typewriting machine, in combination, a traveling carriage, a revoluble platen carried thereby, a carbon-sheet carrier shiftably mounted on said carriage, means, including a swingable platen-lifting frame, to permit work-webs extending around the platen to be straightened beneath the latter, and controlling means whereby the leading ends of the work-webs may be engaged and automatically advanced to gaging positions upon forward movement of said frame, held in gaged positions during the rearward 'movement of the carbon-sheet carrier, and released when the frame with the leading ends thereon is swung rearwardly.

16. In a typewriting machine, in combination, a traveling carriage, a revoluble platen carried thereby, a carbon-sheet carrier shiftably mounted on said carriage, means, including a swingable platen-lifting frame, topermit work-webs extendhig around the platen to be straightened beneath the latter, controlling means whereby the leading ends of the work-webs may be engaged and automatically advanced to gaging positions upon forward movement of said frame, held in gaged positions during; the rearward movement of the carbonsheet carrier, and released when'the platen liftmg frame with the leadingends thereon is swung rearwardly, and means, rendcredefi'ective by said controlling means for holding the leading ends of the workwebs in position .on the platen-lifting frame during the return movement of the latter.

17. In a typewriting machine of the fanfold type, in combination, a traveling carriage, a revoluble platen carried thereby, a carbon-sheet carrier shiftably mounted on said carriage, means, including a swingable platen-lifting frame, to enable work-webs extending around the platen to be straightened beneath the latter, means to engage and hold the leading ends of the workwebs, and means whereby said frame, when swung forwardly, will cause the engaging and holding means to advance the workwebs and gage their leading ends.

18. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a displaceable platenaround which disconnected plies of work-web may be led, of a normally idle re-registering device for said plies mounted upon the machine, said device movable into perforations in the web, and a web support also mounted on the machine to co-operate with said device for; acting upon the webs by means of their perforations to bring the leading edges of the webs into realignment.

19. In a typewriting machine, the combipation with a displaceable platen around which disconnected plies of Work-web may be led, of a normally id le re-registering device 'for said plies mounted upon the machine, said device movable into perforations in the web, a web support also mounted on the machine to co-operate with said device for acting upon the webs by means oftheir perforations to bring the leading edges of the webs into realignment, and means for enabling said re-registering device to advancethe web preparatory to typing a succeeding form thereon.

' 20. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a platen around which disconnected plies of work-web may be led, of a displaceable frame for said platen, said frame displaceable between a typing position and a position for effecting longitudinal shifting of the web-plies, and means actuated byisaid frame for advancing the web-plies during the movement of said frame away from typing position.

21. In a. typewriting machine, the combination with a platen around which disconnected plies of work-web may be'led, of a displaceable frame for said platen, said frame displaccable between a typing position and a position for effecting longitudinal shifting of the web-plies, a normally idle re-registering device for said plies mounted upon: the machine, salid device movable into perforations in the web, a web support also mounted on the machine to co-operate with said device for acting upon the webs by mcans'of their perforations to bring the leading edges of the webs into realignment, and means whereby said rercgistering device is called into action by said platen-frame during movement of the latter away from typing position.

ARTHUR A. JOHNSON. 'itnesses:

Enrrn B. LIBBEY, CATHERINE A. NEWELL. 

